Charlie Cheap
Active member
I have spent the last 2 years doing research on the subject of modern electronic ignitions, specifically for older Ford 6-cylinder and 4-cylinder motors. My findings go against what is the accepted norm, but I have proof to back up my thinking. First, higher voltage is good but it must ignite the fuel/air mixture. Electronic triggered systems do have higher voltage but the spark is much shorter than our points system. As a reference, MSD (Multiple Spark Discharge) was invented to try to duplicate the longer spark of points. Think about a fuel/air mixture swirling around the chamber but not being ignited by the hotter-shorter spark. By making several sparks with MSD there is a better chance to ignite the mixture...much like the points longer spark. Below about 5,000 RPM points make as much HP as modern ignitions according to Hot Rod magazine. Above that RPM electronics are the better choice. Six and 4-cylinder ignitions have more time to build spark in a coil due to fewer lobes on the dizzy cam. The test I saw was a SBC V8 testing points vs electronics. The reason for using electronics is NOT for better ignition but less maintenance and the ability to trigger the spark with a computer. Because cars are now Fuel Injected and computer-timed electronic ignitions are used, but because they can be computer-controlled...not because they are better. Even if we can make a billion volts, the spark needed to arc across the plugs is all we need to fire the mixture. Above what is needed is excess that is not used. With a hotter coil, the best points, plugs, rotor, condenser, wires, and cap, we can increase spark with our basic points system. The Load-O-Matic can be helped with a Pertronix modification, but even better would be a later points dizzy using manifold vacuum and blocking the Dizzy spark control. Always use the best available parts (points, cond., rotor, cap, wires, and plugs) and keep the wires as short as possible. Upgrade to a hotter coil and use an ignition resistor with as low-resistance as possible to operate the ignition without heating the coil. During starting NO resistor is in the system, but once it starts the resistor drops voltage to the coil to keep it from burning the points/heating the coil. Higher input to the coil can mean higher output to the plugs. Just don't go crazy! I have an ACCEL #8140 coil with a MSD .8/1.0 ohm ignition resistor, BWD Select parts because they use the best available materials. Do NOT believe those who talk about constantly having to change/adjust points. Every 5,000 miles is usually fine...which is coast-to-coast driving. I understand many will disagree, but physics is on my side, and my little degree is in electronics.